Lake Maggiore

Stretching from Italy into Switzerland, this massive lake (the 2nd biggest in Italy) sits at the grand feet of the Alps, a naturalist's dream of rare vegetation, whitewater river gorges, cliffside hikes, and, of course, everything a lake has to offer to the intrepid sportsman.

Although there are too many small towns to mention here, they are all a part of a reliable infrastructure of buses and ferries, so you'll be able to get around the area without issue. Some highlights of Lake Maggiore include the Cannobino River, either as a navigation point for hikes or to raft the Santa Anna Gorge. Above the town of Stresa, you'll see Mottarone Mountain, home to a network of hiking trails and worth a ride up in the cable car for its cultivated gardens and the tumultuous mountain bike ride back down. Also of note are the tiny islands in the middle of the lake, particularly Isola Bella and Isola Madre, which are home to some nicely architected buildings and exquisite gardens of rare and beautiful plants.

Take a look at the official tourism page for further information.

Location:Piedmont

Note:Keep in mind that, because of its northerly location, Lake Maggiore will not be enjoying the type of Mediterranean warmth you'd expect along more equatorial Italy.